CASE STUDY | UX strategy, Prototyping, AR interface
Overview
Overview
The airport experience matters as it is an extension of the travel experience, but it is often remembered negatively. To address this, I focused on one of the most important yet stressful parts of the journey: the wait time at the gate. I recontextualized the wait time experience into an adventure that allows users to explore the airport through a location-based AR game.
The airport experience matters as it is an extension of the travel experience, but it is often remembered negatively. To address this, I focused on one of the most important yet stressful parts of the journey: the wait time at the gate. I recontextualized the wait time experience into an adventure that allows users to explore the airport through a location-based AR game.
Overview
Time 4 weeks
MY ROLE End-to-end research and design
Tool Figma, After effect, Cinema4D
Advisor Dominic Poon
Define
Define
Finding problem space in the airport journey
Method: Three qualitative user interviews Secondary research to discover quantitive information
Finding problem space in the airport journey
Method: Three qualitative user interviews Secondary research to discover quantitive information
Findings
Findings
Wait time in the gate area affects the overall satisfaction of the airport experience.
Define- Findings
Define- Findings
Passengers find the wait time unpleasant, draining, and purposeless experience.
Findings
Findings
Travelers often associate waiting for the flights at the airports with feelings such as boredom and nervousness. But it has a potential to be a meaningful touchpoint for both passengers and business.
Travelers often associate waiting for the flights at the airports with feelings such as boredom and nervousness. But it has a potential to be a meaningful touchpoint for both passengers and business.
Defined problem statement
Defined problem statement
How might we shift the airport wait time from anenduring to an entertaining experience?
How might we shift the airport wait time from anenduring to an entertaining experience?
Discover
Discover
Discovering needs and pain points
Discovering needs and pain points
User interview
User interview
With the defined problem statement, I conducted a user interview once again to validate my findings and find the answers to open questions.
Subject 7 users who use airport 6+ times/per year
Interview goals: 1. To discover behavioral patterns of travelers’ time management before boarding 2. To understand the emotional needs of travelers and their motivation to explore the airport 3. To understand their behavior and pain points during the wait time
With the defined problem statement, I conducted a user interview once again to validate my findings and find the answers to open questions.
Subject 7 users who use airport 6+ times/per year
Interview goals: 1. To discover behavioral patterns of travelers’ time management before boarding 2. To understand the emotional needs of travelers and their motivation to explore the airport 3. To understand their behavior and pain points during the wait time
Key insights
Key insights
1._Each traveler has a unique Safe Near-Gate Time*, and exceeding this time directly triggers unpleasant feelings. * Varies from 20 min - 2 hr
1._Each traveler has a unique Safe Near-Gate Time*, and exceeding this time directly triggers unpleasant feelings. * Varies from 20 min - 2 hr
Define- Findings
Key insights
2._They seek time-killing activities besides being on their phone.
2._They seek time-killing activities besides being on their phone.
Define- Findings
Key insights
3._While travelers want to benefit from airport amenities, they fear leaving the gate unlessthey are familiar with the airport geography.
3._While travelers want to benefit from airport amenities, they fear leaving the gate unlessthey are familiar with the airport geography.
Define- Findings
Solution
Solution
Turn the airport gate area into an adventure space with engaging tasks.
Turn the airport gate area into an adventure space with engaging tasks.
Offer an entertaining way to explore the airport with AR/geofence quests.
Ensure travelers’ ability to return to their gate at any time.
Create community among passengers through a user-generated groups.
Entertaining AR/geofence quests allow travelers to explore the airport
Ensure travelers’ ability to return to their gate at any time.
Create a sense of community among passengers with a user-generated group
Design Main features
Design Main features
Discover hidden quests
Discover quests using two modes: an interactive 3D map and an AR lens, which transforms the ordinary airport into an adventurous setting. Each type of quest is represented by a distinct icon and color.
Solve quests, explore the airport
Quests invite users to solve location-based tasks using AR and geofence technology.
Quest options vary including single-player challenges, group competitions, and play times ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.
Quest case 1: Sponsored quest
Explore the airport by solving location-based tasks and have the potential to win prizes. Businesses can generate a memorable and effective marketing campaign with high engagement.
Quest case 2: Group quest
Form groups for collaborative quest solving or competitive gameplay.
Safe near gate time, always ensured
Check the remaining boarding time, distance from the gate, and receive directions back to the gate at any time, at every stage .
User Interface
User Interface
Set the tone of adventure scene I explored multiple visual styles and implemented experimental UI elements such as asymmetrical shapes, bold fonts, and 3D icons to make ordinary space feel like a game space.
Set the tone of adventure scene I explored multiple visual styles and implemented experimental UI elements such as asymmetrical shapes, bold fonts, and 3D icons to make ordinary space feel like a game space.
Ai-generated mood board
I utilized Dall-E to create a mood board as a guide for crafting the 3D map, showing the desired theme.
AR / location-base game study
I researched AR and location-based games to gain insight into their game logic and UI.
Reflection
Scope down for a feasible challenge
The brief for this project was to design a way finding system for a complex indoor space, and I thought about airport immediately. As the airport journey was complex and vast, I scoped down to one part of the journey through research which led the project in an unexpected yet positive direction.